Method and System for Conducting a Plurality of Cyber-Based Conventions

ABSTRACT

A method and system for conducting multiple Internet-based conventions, events, conferences, trade shows and meetings (“conventions”) includes a plurality of meeting planner clients, exhibitor/sponsor clients and attendee clients, all using web browser computers and a central website server on the Internet. The system receives and stores initial convention data, and control parameter rules from meeting planner clients. Then the system receives and stores exhibit booth display data and control parameter rules for said convention from exhibitor/sponsor clients. Based on search criteria provided by the participating attendee client, the central website server releases stored database convention information and provides a wide array of convention activity simulated with the program instructions and the databases. Thus, the system allows the creation of a “virtual convention venue” for conventions that exist only on the central website server and available using the Internet. Additionally, the system supports and augments a convention being held in a physical or venue-based center (e.g., Moscone Center in San Francisco).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 09/809,595 filed Mar. 15, 2001, which is acontinuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US99/31285,filed Dec. 30, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/114,128, filed Dec. 30, 1998, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/114,396, filed Dec. 31, 1998, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of networked computersystems. Specifically, the present invention relates to the field ofsharing information in an Internet-based convention system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Convention, event, conference, trade show and meeting (“convention”)attendance for all parties involved (“clients”) is currently a costly,time-consuming process. Travel costs and the size of many conventionshave made gathering of information at a convention a much less efficientprocess. For large conventions, there is a need for a systematic methodof locating exhibitors and retrieving information. The widespreadavailability of computers with graphics capabilities and Internetconnectivity makes it feasible to use them to simulate various aspectsof a convention to augment or replace a visit to the physical conferencelocation.

Many attendees would like to attend a convention through the convenienceof the Internet and web-browser computers. Many professional meetingplanners working with associations or corporations would like to set upand hold their conventions only on the Internet or to support or augmenttheir venue-based conventions. And, many exhibitor/sponsors would liketo participate at a convention through the convenience of the Internet.

Until now, there has been no suitable way to enable these threefundamental “clients” to participate with the full functions of theconvention industry using the convenience of the Internet. The meetingplanner client needs to perform the central processing functions to loadand control their specific virtual convention, trade show or meeting.The exhibitor/sponsor client needs to perform the processing functionsto design, load and control their specific exhibits and sponsor ordersrelated to conventions, trade shows or meetings that meet their specificmarketing and participation criteria. Finally, an attendee client needsa wide array of sensible convention functions including: conventionselection, association selection, conference search, event search, showsearch, session and forum attendance and exhibit display visits.

As of 1999, a variety of methods involving an attendee client viewingexhibit booths in a virtual-only trade show or participating in asession and forum have been implemented resembling an Internet-basedconvention. Despite these resemblances, significant omissions weredetermined upon reviewing these websites and comparing methods in termsof the invention.

One primary omission was that all sites demonstrated a single-specificconvention situation (e.g., single association, single industry, singleproduct classification). No sites were found offering a plurality ofseparate conventions, nor were methods found to support multipleconventions. Further, the sites that offered a single-specificconvention situation lacked the ability of allowing a convention to bescheduled, organized, designed and/or conducted by a third party meetingplanner. Still further, none of the prior art existing before theinvention of the present application discloses a method for conducting aconvention on a central website, by facilitating the exchange between anattendee client and an administrator (e.g., a website administrator, ameeting planner client, a computer programmer, a graphic designer, asoftware engineer, an application service provider, etc.).

Another primary omission was that all sites were either solely“venue-based content convention” or solely “cyber-based contentconvention” in terms of any methods demonstrated. No combination“venue-with-cyber” methods were demonstrated for allowing the creationof a “virtual convention venue” for conventions that exist on thecentral website server while concurrently supporting and augmenting aconvention being held in a physical or venue-based center.

Another primary omission was that no methods were demonstrated formeeting planner client services; it appeared that meeting and conventioncontent information and support control, if any, were pre-loaded WYSIWYGby a webmaster/programmer.

Another primary omission was that no methods were demonstrated forexhibitor/sponsor client services. It appeared that exhibit boothdesign, content and processing flow, if any, were again pre-loadedWYSIWYG or built by a webmaster/programmer. Also, the important methodpresented in the invention of using exhibit booth panel sizes made up ofadvertising standard ad banner sizes was not demonstrated.

Fundamentally, the sites appeared to place overall design emphasis onlyon the trade show aspects and not the other important activities of thecomplete convention. Attendee client methods were generally limited tosimple listings and displays of exhibitor information. A wide range ofconvention activity simulated with the program instructions and thedatabases presented in this invention were missing from the sitesreviewed. By way of illustration, no attendee client methods weredemonstrated for call for papers, paper and proceedings presentations,membership signup, or board and committee messages. No attendee clientmethods were demonstrated for searching a wide range of sessions andforums by subjects or a certain speaker, or searching a plurality ofconventions with extensive criteria. The exhibit content searches, whenoffered, were very limited.

A complete industry-standard convention includes not only trade showaspects of exhibitor booths, but also registration, sessions and forums,special events, sponsor recognition, call for papers, paper andproceedings presentations, general convention information, board andcommittee meetings, helpful maps, hotel support participants, CVBsupport participants, etc. And, three distinct and essential parties areinvolved in the activities to hold a successful convention: 1) themeeting planner client, who defines, organizes, and sets it up; 2) theexhibitor/sponsor client who exhibits products or services, or sponsorsthe various aspects; and 3) the attendee client who participates in thevarious functions. The robust activities of these three parties thatmake up a complete industry-standard convention held in a virtualconvention venue were not demonstrated. Therefore, no altogethersatisfactory method has heretofore been available for conductingmultiple Internet-based conventions, events, conferences, trade showsand meetings.

The most complete example of a single-specific convention site coupledwith solely “venue-based content-convention” was the IAAM 1999 AnnualConference and Trade Show. IAAM 1999 Annual Conference and Trade Show,Internet address cyber-centre.com/98iaam, demonstrated only WYSIWYGconvention content information for a single-specific venue-based event.There was a simple list of exhibitors with a solitary front-end boothlobby graphic with links to venue-based event information pages, but noexhibitor/sponsor client booths. No attendee client, meeting plannerclient or exhibitor/sponsor client methods were demonstrated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencyin the prior art by providing a method and system for conducting one ormore Internet-based conventions, events, conferences, trade shows andmeetings (“conventions”) including the meeting planner clients,exhibitor/sponsor clients and attendee clients, all using web browsercomputers and a central website server on the Internet. The inventionincludes a method for conducting a convention by facilitating anexchange between meeting planner clients and attendee clients. Thisexchange includes electronically storing convention content informationat a central website, receiving selections for convention contentinformation from attendee clients, and releasing the convention contentinformation to the attendee clients. The system receives and storesinitial convention data, and control parameter rules from meetingplanner clients. Then the system receives and stores exhibit boothdisplay data and control parameter rules for said convention fromexhibitor/sponsor clients. Based on search criteria provided by theparticipating attendee client, the central website server releasesstored database convention information and provides a wide array ofconvention activity simulated with the program instructions and thedatabases. Thus, the system allows the creation of a “virtual conventionvenue” for conventions that exist only on the central website server andavailable using the Internet. Additionally, the system supports andaugments a convention being held in a physical or venue-based center(such as Moscone Center in San Francisco).

The present invention is a computer system and a method for the use ofcomputers for implementing an Internet-based, virtual convention venue.The invention includes the computer implementation of functionsassociated with conventions, described here as “cyber” functions. Thesecomputer-implemented functions included attendee control, databasecapabilities for locating convention information, a cyber exhibit boothdisplay system, cyber sessions and forums, cyber attendee profileralerts, cyber meeting planner support system, and cyber exhibitor andsponsor support system, and procedures for making use of them via remotecomputers.

The computer system implementation also allows the creation of cyberconventions that exist only virtually, based on the Internet. Thecomputer system can also be implemented to produce an on-line conventionthat is related to a convention occurring at a physical location,referred to here as a venue-based convention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of theinvention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention, and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic overview of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the central website server of thesystem in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the virtual convention venuedatabases and relationships in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the virtual convention venueprogram instructions in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the attendee client globalsearches and control program instructions in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the cyber conventions withcyber exhibit booth display, and cyber sessions and forums—programinstructions in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a sitemap flow diagram of venue-based conventionsWITH cyber conventions with cyber exhibit booth display, and cybersessions and forums—program instructions in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the meeting planner clientsupport—program instructions in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the exhibitor/sponsorclient support—program instructions in accordance with this invention;and

FIGS. 10A-10J illustrate 10 sample exhibit booth displays used in screenviews and made from common Internet advertising ad banner sizes inaccordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION SYSTEM STRUCTURE

FIG. 1 is an overall system block diagram illustrating a conventionsystem 100 and presents a preferred embodiment of the present invention.In this embodiment, a central website server 200 is linked up over anInternet or a Web 104 to one of three separate client types implementedas standard web browser computers: an attendee client 101, a meetingplanner client 102, or an exhibitor/sponsor client 103. A virtualconvention venue transaction, such as a web page display or databasesearch query, can be initiated by any one of the clients 101, 102, or103 by means of a web browser computer. FIG. 1 illustrates therelationship of each type of client 101, 102 and 103, and theirrespective computers, to the central website server 200. The informationrequired to implement the transaction is passed between any one of theclients 101, 102, or 103 through a web browser computer, and the centralwebsite server 200 until the transaction is complete. The centralwebsite server 200 processes and keeps track of all transactions in thesystem.

The overall virtual convention venue process normally begins with ameeting planner client 102 who launches a standard web browser softwareprogram, such as Netscape Navigator® or Microsoft Internet Explorer®,and establishes connection with the central website server 200 acrossThe Web 104. The central website server 200 performs the centralprocessing functions to load and control the specific virtualconvention, trade show or meeting of meeting planner client 102.Multiple meeting planner clients 102 are depicted in the diagram torepresent an open-ended number of meeting planner clients and subsequentconventions, trade shows and meetings. The term “meeting planner client”is also used in a manner similar to current use in the conventionindustry to designate an individual (or association) that organizes andmanages the convention, event, conference or trade show.

Next, the exhibitor/sponsor client 103 establishes connection with thecentral website server 200 across The Web 104. The central websiteserver 200 performs the processing functions to design, load and controlthe specific exhibits and sponsor orders related to specific virtualconventions, trade shows or meetings of exhibitor/sponsor to client 103.Multiple exhibitor/sponsor clients 103 are depicted in the diagram torepresent an open-ended number of exhibitors and sponsors and subsequentexhibitor booths and advertising. The term “exhibitor/sponsor client” isalso used in a manner similar to current use in the convention industryto designate an individual or business organization that exhibits boothsat a convention, event, conference or trade show; or, is a sponsor ofsuch.

Finally, an attendee client 101 establishes connection with the centralwebsite server 200 across The Web 104. The central website server 200now performs the functions of database query and page display processingincluding: convention selection, association selection, conferencesearch, events search, show search, session and forum attendance andexhibit display visits. Again, multiple attendee clients 101 aredepicted in the diagram to represent an open-ended number of convention,trade show and meeting attendees. The term “attendee” is also used in amanner similar to current use in the convention industry to designate anindividual that attends a convention, event, conference, or trade show.

Alternatively, beginning with only the meeting planner client 102, thevirtual convention venue process can also begin with either the meetingplanner client 102 or an exhibitor/sponsor client 103.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the central website server 200implemented as a standard computer file server capable of high-volumeweb initiated transactions. As shown in FIG. 2, the central websiteserver includes a central processor unit or CPU 230, RAM 210, ROM 220,network interface 250, and data storage device 240. The data storagedevice 240 includes virtual convention venue databases 300, as well asvirtual convention venue program instructions 400 for CPU 230. CPU 230is connected to each of the computer elements of the central websiteserver 200.

CPU 230 may comprise a conventional high-speed processor capable ofexecuting program instructions to perform the functions describedherein. Although the central website server 200 is described as beingimplemented with a single CPU 230, in alternative embodiments thecentral website server 200 could be implemented with several processorsoperating in parallel or in series. Similarly, the other components ofthe central website server 200 could be expanded to handle largervolumes of web-initiated transactions and accommodate several differentcommunication protocols.

The use of a CPU 230 in conjunction with ROM 220, RAM 210, a datastorage device 240 and network interface 250 to The Web 104 is wellknown to those skilled in the art of computer file server websitedesign.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the virtual convention venuedatabases 300 and key record relationships including meeting plannersdatabase 310, exhibitors/sponsors database 320, booths database 330,attendees database 340, conventions database 350, sessions and forumsdatabase 360, convention and visitors bureau (“CVB”) hosts databases370, and paper presentations and proceedings database 380. The databasesin venue databases 300 may be implemented as standard relationaldatabases (such as Microsoft SQL Server7) capable of supportingsearching and storing records with standard field characteristicsincluding alpha, numeric, alphanumeric, currency, yes/no, OLE object,hyperlink, as well as multimedia information such as video data, movies,photographs, and audio data.

The exhibitors/sponsors database 320 may include cross-referencingfields to booths database 330. This allows multiple booths for eachexhibitor/sponsor. Also, the exhibitors/sponsors database 320 mayinclude cross-referencing fields to the conventions database 350. Thisallows for multiple exhibitors/sponsors per convention and for anexhibitor/sponsor to participate in multiple conventions. The sessionsand forums database 360 may include cross-referencing fields to theconventions database 350. This allows multiple sessions for eachconvention. The sessions and forums database 360 also may includecross-referencing fields to the exhibitors/sponsors database 320. Thisallows multiple exhibitors/sponsors to host or finance a conventionsession or sessions. The meeting planners database 310 may includecross-referencing fields to the conventions database 350; this allowsmultiple conventions for each meeting planner. The conventions andvisitors bureau (“CVB”) hosts database 370 may include cross-referencingfields to the conventions database 350. This allows a CVB to hostmultiple conventions. The paper presentations and proceedings database380 may include cross-referencing fields to the conventions database350. This allows multiple technical or professional papers to bepresented and multiple meeting proceedings to be documented at aconvention or meeting. Finally, the attendees database 340 may includecross-referencing fields to exhibitors/sponsors database 320,conventions database 350, sessions and forums database 360, and boothsdatabase 330. This allows tracking as well as other types of searchesrelated to the attendees.

The use of relational databases in conjunction with website computerprogram instructions is well known to those skilled in the art ofcomputer programming. As noted above, the meeting planners database 310may include cross-referencing fields to the conventions database 350;this allows multiple conventions for each meeting planner. Also, themeeting planners database 310 may include fields concerning individualmeeting planners such as account number, name/address information, URLand e-mail information, passwords, association logo and a keyword array.

As noted above, the exhibitors/sponsors database 320 may includecross-referencing fields to booths database 330; this allows multiplebooths for each exhibitor/sponsor. Also, the exhibitors/sponsorsdatabase 320 preferably includes cross-referencing fields to theconventions database 350; this allows for multiple exhibitors/sponsorsper convention and for an exhibitor/sponsor to participate in multipleconventions. Cross-referencing fields are also provided to the sessionsand forums database 360 for sessions sponsored, and the attendeesdatabase 340 for attendees interested, viewed exhibit or contacted.Also, the exhibitors/sponsors database 320 may include fields concerningindividual exhibitors/sponsors such as name/address information, URL ande-mail information, passwords, exhibitor/sponsor logo, exhibit pagecontrol, sponsor package, welcome banners, session sponsor advertisinginformation, and venue-based switch control.

As noted above, the booths database 330 may include cross-referencingfields to the exhibitors/sponsors database 320; this allows multiplebooths for each exhibitor/sponsor. Also, the booths database 330preferably includes cross-referencing fields to the attendees database340 for attendees interested, viewed exhibit or wishing furtherinformation. Also, the booths database 330 preferably includescross-referencing fields to the conventions database 350 for the variousconventions at which the booth appears. The booths database 330 mayinclude fields concerning booth design type, an array of panels makingup the booth, and the booth processing flow control. Fields also includeaccounting control and related cost totals, descriptions, exhibitsubject(s) and keyword(s), exhibitor text, and venue-based switchcontrol.

The attendees database 340 may include cross-referencing fields toexhibitors/sponsors database 320—for exhibitors and sponsors ofinterest, contacted and booth viewed. Cross-referencing fields are alsoprovided to the conventions database 350—for specific conventionregistrations, previous attendance and interests. Cross-referencingfields are also provided to the sessions and forums database 360—forspecific session and forum registrations, previous attendance andinterests. Cross-referencing fields are also provided to the boothsdatabase 330—for specific booth interest and attendance. Fields alsoinclude name/address information, e-mail information, passwords,attendance package control, venue-based switch control, paid conventionaccounting control array, credit card information, interest codes array,and association affiliations array.

The conventions database 350 is at the heart of the invention.Cross-referencing fields are provided to the meeting planners database310 tying in the specific convention to the meeting planner hosting andcontrolling the event. Cross-referencing fields are provided to theexhibitors/sponsors database 320, tying in all related exhibitors andsponsors. Cross-referencing fields are provided to the booths database330, tying the booths to the convention. Cross-referencing fields areprovided to the attendees database 340, tying in the attendees.Cross-referencing fields are provided to the sessions and forumsdatabase 360 and CVB hosts database 370, tying the sessions and CVBsrespectively. Finally, cross-referencing fields are provided to thepaper presentations and proceedings database 380, tying in the multiplepapers and proceedings, as appropriate.

Fields also include convention content information such as:

-   -   convention name, convention type including standard convention,        conference, event,    -   or trade show;    -   conference name;    -   event name;    -   trade show name;    -   convention dates (virtual- and venue-based);    -   convention theme;    -   association name;    -   association acronym;    -   association subjects;    -   welcome message;    -   convention overview;    -   convention logo;    -   convention registration fees;    -   exhibitor/sponsor client registration edit criteria control        parameters;    -   exhibitor/sponsor client booth criteria control parameters;    -   attendee client registration edit criteria control parameters;    -   sessions and forums processing flow control parameters;    -   call for papers processing flow control parameters;    -   cyber broadcast processing flow control parameters;    -   potential exhibitor and sponsor contacts;    -   convention phone number;    -   convention fax number;        -   board and committee messages/reports;        -   program plug-ins and downloads;        -   convention URL address; and,        -   convention e-mail address.

Further fields in conventions database 350 differentiated for theconvention parameter type equal to “venue-with-cyber” include:

-   -   venue-based name and address information;    -   venue-based pictures;    -   venue-based registration information;    -   venue-based registration fees;    -   venue-based exhibitor floor maps;    -   geographic location;    -   recommended dress;    -   average temperatures at the venue-based destination;    -   direction information for boards and committees;    -   housing bureau involvement and program link control with URL        links;    -   hotel participants and accommodations with URL links;    -   travel arrangements with URL links;    -   convention and visitor bureau (“CVB”) participants with URL        links;    -   rental car transportation with URL links;    -   venue-based destination parking with URL links; and,    -   sponsors list with URL links.

As noted above, the sessions and forums database 360 may includecross-referencing fields to the conventions database 350, allowingmultiple sessions and forums for each convention, tied to the saidconvention. This tie to the convention also provides a cross-link tie tothe paper presentations and proceedings database 380, and subsequentinformation such as individual papers presented and session and forumproceedings. Further, the sessions and forums database 360 includescross-referencing fields to the exhibitors/sponsors database 320allowing multiple exhibitors and sponsors to host or finance a sessionor sessions. As described above, the sessions and forums database 360also has cross-referencing fields to the attendees database 340 for themultiple attendees attending each session or forum. Further fields inthe sessions and forums database 360 include speaker name, session orforum name, subject(s), sponsor copy words, session or forum copy words,dates/times, special fees, handout materials, audio-visual notes,multimedia control, and presenter. Further fields in the sessions andforums database 360 differentiated for the convention parameter typeequal to “venue-with-cyber” include venue-based floor maps of thesessions and forums.

As noted above, the convention and visitors bureau (“CVB”) hostsdatabase 370 may include cross-referencing fields to the conventionsdatabase 350 allowing a CVB to host multiple conventions. Fields in theCVB database 370 include CVB name/address-type information, URL ande-mail addresses, special banner or other advertising.

As noted above, the paper presentations and proceedings database 380 mayinclude cross-referencing fields to the conventions database 350allowing multiple technical or professional papers to be presented andmultiple meeting proceedings to be documented at a convention ormeeting. Further fields in the paper presentations and proceedingsdatabase 380 include author, URL and e-mail addresses, academicaffiliation, keywords, abstracts, paper title, summary, paper textdetail, figures, audio-visual notes, and multimedia control.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the virtual convention venuewebsite program instructions 400. CPU 230 (FIG. 2) is programmed withprogram instructions 400 using standard website programming languagessuch as HTML, CFML, Javascript, or CSS, and executes various functionsdescribed in connection with FIGS. 5-9. These program instructions 400can comprise, but are not limited to, flow control, web page display ora search query to the virtual convention venue databases 300 initiatedby any one of the clients 101, 102, or 103 by way of web browsercomputers, to which information is transmitted in response. The use ofprogram instructions 400 in conjunction with relational databases 300 ona central website server 200 is well known to those skilled in the artof computer programming and website design. These program instructions400 comprise the information input, processing and output proceduresincluding but not limited to receiving queries, control parameters andcontent information from any of the three client types, processing interms of differentiating and storing the information, and releasingappropriate and formatted information. Described in simplest terms, theattendee client global searches and control program instructions 500 onthe central website server 200 assists the attendee client 101 indetermining what conventions are appropriate for their participation,“registering” and “attending” a convention in the virtual conventionvenue databases 300. The term “attendee” is also used in a mannersimilar to current use in the convention industry to designate anindividual that attends a convention, event, conference, or trade show.The attendee client global searches and control program instructions 500are described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 5.

The meeting planner client support program instructions 800 on thecentral website server 200 assists the meeting planner client 102 insetting up, organizing, and controlling a convention in the virtualconvention venue databases 300 linked up over The Web 104. The meetingplanner client support program instructions 800 are described in greaterdetail in connection with FIG. 8.

Similarly, the exhibitor/sponsor client support program instructions 900on the central website server 200 assist the exhibitor/sponsor client103 in determining what conventions are appropriate for theirparticipation, and in ordering and setting up a booth (or booths) andsponsorship at a convention in the virtual convention venue databases300. The exhibitor/sponsor client support program instructions 900 aredescribed in greater detail in connection with FIG. 9.

The attendee client global searches and control program instructions 500on the central website server 200 assists the attendee client 101 indetermining what conventions are appropriate for their participation,“registering” and “attending” a convention in the virtual conventionvenue databases 300. The attendee client global searches and controlprogram instructions 500 are described in greater detail in connectionwith FIG. 5.

Block 600 in FIG. 4 illustrates the program instructions on the centralwebsite server 200 associated with flow control, web page display orquery to the virtual convention venue databases 300 with respect to a100% “cyber-based” convention. The computer system implementation allowsthe creation of cyber conventions that exist only in virtual reality,based on the Internet. It is important to note that the programinstructions 600 may be configured to execute only IF the conventiondefined in conventions database 350 is only 100% cyber-based e.g., not aconvention also being held in a physical (venue-based) center such asThe Moscone Center in San Francisco (venue-based convention). Theattendee client 101 now has a wide array of convention activitysimulated with the program instructions and the databases. Theseactivities are described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 6.

Block 700 on FIG. 4 illustrates the program instructions on the centralwebsite server 200 associated with flow control, web page display orquery to the virtual convention venue databases 300 with respect to a“cyber-based” convention augmenting a venue-based convention. Thecomputer system implementation allows the creation of a cyber conventionavailable to attendees at any time before, during, or after avenue-based convention. Again, the program instructions 700 may beconfigured to execute with or in support of a venue-based convention.The attendee client 101 has a wide array of activity simulated with theprogram instructions and the databases. These activities are describedin greater detail in connection with FIG. 7.

System Operation

The operation of system 100 is now further described in connection withthe sitemap flow diagrams shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and referencethe sample exhibit booth displays shown in FIGS. 10A-10J. The use ofsitemap flow diagrams in conjunction with website computer programinstructions is well known to those skilled in the art of computerprogramming.

System 100, through the computer programs 400 described below and theinteraction with the virtual convention venue databases 300 on thecentral website server 200, provides the method and apparatus forconducting multiple Internet-based conventions. Because of modernrelational database storage capabilities and the database designpresented herein, it is important to note that the inventionaccommodates, simultaneously, a number of conventions, meeting plannerclients, exhibitor/sponsor clients, attendee clients, exhibitor/sponsorbooths, sessions and forums, technical or professional papers,proceedings documents, and CVB hosts.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the attendee client globalsearches and control program instructions 500 in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. From the virtual convention venue homepage501, a prototypical top-level programming control point in websitedesign, the attendee client global searches and control programinstructions 500 provide a wide array of search entry points into thevirtual convention venue databases 300 and dive-down/branch control toadditional program instructions as depicted in FIG. 5. The term “divedown/branch control” refers to the capability of the program to executea portion of the program instructions in response to a user selectionchoice, and to the configuration of the program so that smaller portionsso executed are nested within larger portions so executed. The attendeeclient 101 has several major selection choices with follow-up databasequery and page display processing including: convention selection 505,association selection 510, conference search 515, events search 520,trade show search 525, cyber exhibits 530, sessions and forums 535, orconvention and visitor bureau (“CVB”) host sponsors 540. Each of theseprogrammed selection choices has special search and database list orfollow-on processing capabilities.

The convention selection 505 program instructions process provides querysearch options of the virtual convention venue databases 300 andresultant pathway(s) to the appropriate convention welcome page display.These program instructions are directed to either or both of cyberconventions 600 and venue based and cyber conventions 700. Query optionsinclude a search of all convention events. In this case, “conventions”include all conventions, events, conferences and trade shows by (andincluding combinations) of name, association name, geographic location,event dates, convention themes or session subjects in the databases. Toprovide further insight into the convention selection 505 database queryand page display process, the following search questions examples resultin lists of convention records, which can lead the attendee client 101to appropriate convention welcome pages (profession-related examples areused where appropriate).

Example No. 1 By Convention Name Search Example

Query What are the upcoming “bar association” conventions? Response Thisquery results in a list of all conventions with the words “barassociation” including “American Bar Association Meeting on Litigation”,“American Bar Association Annual Meeting”, and “Pittsburgh BarAssociation Contracts Forum”. Link to the appropriate convention welcomepage can be made from the resulting list.

Example No. 2 By Geographic Location Search Example

Query What conventions are being held in Orlando (city), or Florida(state or province)? Response This query results in a list of allOrlando conventions. Sub-queries What upcoming “bar association”conventions are being held in “Orlando”? What upcoming “bar association”conventions are being held with The Web 104 being the geographiclocation? What “bar association” conventions are being held “on The Web”at the virtual convention venue? Response These queries result in listsof all “bar association” conventions being held in Orlando or only onThe Web 104.

Example No. 3 By Event Dates (in Combination) Search Example

Query I have an extra couple of days, Jul. 15, 1999 through Jul. 19,1999 in Orlando; what “bar association” meetings are going on? Eventdates is also used in the compound database query and page display.

Example No. 4 By Convention Theme Search Example

Query What are the upcoming “bar association” conventions on“intellectual property”? The convention or theme is also used in thedatabase query.

Example No. 5 By Session Subjects Search Example

Query What conventions have sessions and forums on “software contractwriting”? The session and forums keywords are used to list theconventions.

The association selection 510 program instructions process providesquery search options of the virtual convention venue databases 300 andresultant pathway(s) to the appropriate convention welcome page display,again in terms of either the 100% cyber-based convention 600 or thevenue-with-cyber convention 700 from the association database entrypoint. Query options exemplified in the following examples include asearch of all conventions. Again “conventions” includes all conventions,events, conferences and trade shows by (and including combinations) ofassociation name, acronym or association subject.

Example No. 7 By Association Name Search Example

Query What are the upcoming “bar association” conventions? Response Thisquery results in a list of all associations with the words “barassociation” including “American Bar Association” and “Pittsburgh BarAssociation”. From this view, the attendee client 101 can next view allconventions for a specific association. Link to the appropriateconvention welcome page can be made from the final list.

Example No. 8 By Association Acronym Search Example

Query What are the upcoming “ABA” conventions? Response This query willfirst list the associations with the acronym of “ABA” including“American Bar Association”, “American Beauty Association”, “AmericanBankers Association”, and “Association for Behavior Analysis”. Link tothe appropriate convention welcome page can be made from the final list.

Example No. 9 By Association Subjects Search Example

Query What are the upcoming “law” or “legal” conventions? Response Thisquery results in a list of all associations with “law” or “legal”subject categories including “American Bar Association”, “AmericanCollege of Trial Lawyers”, “American Society of Notaries” and “TrademarkSociety”. From this view, the attendee client 101 can next view allconventions for a specific association. Link to the appropriateconvention welcome page can be made from the final list.

A specific subset of the conventions industry is termed or identified asthe “conference”. The “conference” is typically a mission- orcause-oriented association sponsored meeting. An example of the“conference” convention is the Peace on Earth Conference held by theWorld Affairs Council of Washington. A “conference” may or may not haveexhibitors.

Because certain attendee clients 101 are searching for a convention thathas been termed or identified by the meeting planner client 102 as a“conference” or are specifically interested in a “conference”, theinvention provides a conference search 515 of the virtual conventionsdatabases 300 of all conventions. In the virtual convention venuedatabases 300 “conventions” includes all conventions, events,conferences and trade shows, by (and including combinations) conferencename, association name, geographic location, event dates, conferencethemes or session subjects. The conference search 515 programinstructions process is identical to the convention selection 505program instructions process control listed above with page direction orattendee client 101 word directions modified for “conference” andprovides query search options of the database and resultant pathway(s)to the appropriate convention welcome page program instructionprocesses.

Particular conventions are termed or identified as an “event”. The“event” is typically a specific topic-oriented corporate or associationmeeting, such as the “Xerox Top Sales Winners” event or the“Intellectual Property Writing Workshop” event hosted by the AmericanBar Association. An “event” may or may not have exhibitors.

Because certain attendee clients 101 are searching for a convention thathas been termed or identified by the meeting planner client 102 as an“event” or are specifically interested in an “event”, the inventionprovides an events search 520 of the virtual convention venue databases300 of all conventions. In the virtual convention venue databases 300“conventions” includes all conventions, events, conferences and tradeshows, by (and including combinations) conference name, associationname, geographic location, event dates, conference themes or sessionsubjects. The events search 520 program instructions process isidentical to the convention selection 505 program instructions processcontrol listed above with page direction or attendee client 101 worddirections modified for “event” and provides query search options of thedatabase and resultant pathway(s) to the appropriate convention welcomepage processes. Yet another subset of the conventions industry is termedor identified as the “trade show”. The “trade show” is typically a“trade” association- or organization-sponsored convention involvingindustry-related vendor exhibitor booths as a primary function of theconvention. An example of the “trade show” convention is the AthleticEquipment Managers Show which would feature many vendor booths from theathletic sports equipment manufacturers industry.

Because certain attendee clients 101 are searching for a convention thathas been termed or identified by the meeting planner client 102 as a“trade show” or are specifically interested in a “trade show”, theinvention provides a trade show search 525 of the virtual conventionvenue databases 300 of all conventions. In the virtual convention venuedatabases 300 “conventions” includes all conventions, events,conferences and trade shows, by (and including combinations) conferencename, association name, geographic location, event dates, conferencethemes or session subjects. The trade show search 525 programinstructions process is identical to the convention selection 505program instructions process control listed above with page direction orattendee client 101 word directions modified for “trade show” andprovides query search options of the database and resultant pathway(s)to the appropriate convention welcome page processes.

The cyber exhibits and cyber exhibit booth display 530 programinstructions process provides query search options of the virtualconvention venue databases 300 and resultant pathway(s) to the cyberexhibitor booths display program instructions process. A “cyber exhibit”or “cyber exhibit booth” is a unique web browser page display layoutproviding a show, demonstration or presentation of products and/orservices made up of an open-ended number of common Internet advertisingad banner sizes arranged to appear similar to physical display boothsused in the convention industry. The term “cyber” defines this overalldisplay layout and viewing of the advertising ad banners from thevirtual convention venue databases 300 accessed via the invention.

The “exhibits” or “exhibit booths” used in the invention are made up of“panels” illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10J. The panels may be common Internetadvertising ad banner sizes such as full banner, full banner withvertical navigation bar, half banner, square banner, vertical banner,button #1, button #2, and micro button. Each panel can also represent amajor display venue in which each panel can bridge the attendee client101 to various promotional page venues such as the full exhibitorbrochure, multiple and rotating digital photos of products, or videoclips.

The cyber exhibits and cyber exhibit booth display 530 programinstructions process provides query search options without the need toprocess them through a convention. At the attendee client 101 entrylevel, the search results are important and unique, bypassing the normalconvention exhibit venue, because the booths listed for display are not“tied” to specific conventions. In simple terms, the cyber attendeeclient 101 is able to “make up” their own exhibition of booths from thevirtual convention venue databases 300 based on the query optionsselected. Query options include a search of all cyber exhibit booths inthe database as further explained in the following examples:

Example No. 10 By Exhibitor Name Search Example

Query Show me the “Nike®” cyber exhibit booths. Response The inventionfinds the Nike® Activewear booth (showing golf wear) from the NationalGolf Foundation Annual Convention in Chicago, finds another Nike®Activewear booth from the National Youth Sports Coaches Association FallMeeting in Orlando, finds the Nike® Skates & Ice Hockey Equipment boothfrom the Ice Skating Institute of America Show in London, and finds theNike® Basketball Shoes booth from the Athletic Equipment ManagersAssociation convention being held totally/only on The Web 104 at thevirtual convention venue 100. These cyber exhibit booths are displayedin a special Nike® exhibition for the attendee client 101.

Example No. 11 By Subject Search Example

Query Show me the “sporting goods” cyber exhibit booths. Response Theinvention searches the virtual convention venue databases 300 and findsthe conventions and exhibitors with the subject category “sportinggoods” and displays the booths for the attendee client 101. Cyberexhibit booths from conventions may include the National Golf Foundationor National Ski Retailers Association. Exhibitors may includeWinchester® and Everlast®. The cyber exhibit booths are displayed in aspecial exhibition for the attendee client 101.

Example No. 12 By Key Word(s) Search Example

This search is much more restrictive than the subject search directlyabove. Query Show me “ice hockey gloves”. Response The invention findsonly one—the Hockey Zone® cyber exhibit booth from the Ice SkatingInstitute of America Show in London and from the key words used by theexhibitor/sponsor client 103.

Example No. 13 By Convention Search Example

This database search and program link control is special in that once aconvention is selected, the attendee client 101 can go (afterregistration) directly to the booth displays of the selected convention.Query Show me the “bar association” convention booths. Response Thisquery first results in a list of all conventions with booths with thewords “bar association” including “American Bar Association Meeting onLitigation” and “American Bar Association Annual Meeting”. Direct link(or links concatenating multiple conventions) is made to theconvention-tied cyber exhibit booths—in this example showing TimeSlips®(the legal industry's time keeping and billing software), Crane®Stationery Co. (100% cotton bond engraved stationery) and ABC MortgageInsurance (a mortgage insurance wholesaler to lawyers).

The sessions and forums 535 selection program instructions processprovides query search options of the virtual convention venue databases300 and resultant pathway(s) to cyber session 620 program instructionsprocess or cyber forum 625 program instructions process of the 100%cyber-based convention 600 or to the sessions 720 program instructionsprocess or forums 725 program instructions process of thevenue-with-cyber convention 700. A “cyber session” or “cyber forum” is aunique 100% Internet-based session or forum application. A “venue-basedsession” or “venue-based forum” is a standard venue-based conventionlisting of sessions and forums.

Query options at sessions and forums 535 include a search of all sessionand forum records in the virtual convention venue databases for sessionand forum content. A sessions and forums search list is provided andappropriate programming link control. This is explained in the followingexamples:

Example No. 14 By Speaker Search Example

Query Are there any upcoming sessions or forums with “Alan Dershowitz”?Response ConventionNet database finds the session “The Blame Excuse byProfessor Alan Dershowitz”; 10:00 am to 11:00 am; Jul. 15, 1999 at the“American Bar Association Annual Meeting” in Pittsburgh at the HiltonConvention Center. The invention also lists a “cyber forum” on “theBlame Excuse Defense” with Professor Alan Dershowitz hosted by the“American Bar Association Annual Meeting”, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST “on”or at the virtual convention venue.

Example No. 15

Query By subject search example (e.g., “legal defense”).

Example No. 16

Query By date (e.g., Jul. 15, 1999).

Example No. 17

Query By presenter—(e.g. “TimeSlips or American Bar Association”).

The convention and visitor bureau host sponsors 540 selection programinstructions process provides query search options of the virtualconvention venue databases 300 and resultant pathway(s) to theappropriate convention welcome page display—appropriate in terms ofeither a 100% cyber-based convention 600 or a venue-with-cyberconvention 700. Convention and Visitor Bureaus (“CVBs”) are often major“hosts” of large conventions in their respective destinations. Forexample, the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts the“American Bar Association Annual Meeting” and assists with variousmeeting arrangements. In the virtual convention venue databases 300,relational ties are made to CVB host sponsors, if applicable.

The association level direct entry 550 program instructions processdefines a direct path for a specific convention for a participatingassociation. In this way the meeting planner of the association canadvertise a direct web address to the official convention welcome pagefor the convention. In other words, this process is designed to goaround the “query search” front-end process, because the attendee client101 is directed right to a specific convention. For example,“americanbar.conventionnet.com” can be defined in the invention bywebmaster direct programming and the attendee clients 101 can bedirected (by advertising or by a link from the participatingassociation) or “started” at the specific or official convention welcomepage of the American Bar Association Annual Convention.

The past attendee direct entry from interest profiler alert generationcontrol 560 provides a program-generated alerting via standard Internetelectronic mail systems to “past” attendee clients 101, about newconventions on the virtual convention venue system 100. The programinstructions 400 tracks interests of the attendee clients 101 at variouspoints—during cyber exhibits registration, during conventionregistration, just visiting a booth, attending a session orparticipating in a forum. This interest tracking is termed the “interestprofiler”. The invention periodically checks through a batch processingfunction the past “attendee interest profile” against new conventions,sessions, forums and exhibit booth “themes”, “subjects” and “key words”,and generates electronic mail to the past attendee to now visit thevirtual convention venue system 100—with appropriate matched approachesto link or direct the past attendee to the correct level or record inthe virtual convention venue databases 300—the convention, session,forum or exhibit booth. Optionally, other batch functions accumulatenumerical information and generate numerical and statistical reportsfrom the virtual convention venue databases 300. The batch processingprogramming functions, operating in the background of the centralwebsite server 200, are not depicted on the sitemap flow diagrams shownin FIGS. 5 through 9.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of options available throughthe cyber conventions program instructions 600 in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. In the above discussion of FIG. 5 the titleof this programming area was simplified and shortened to “100%cyber-based convention 600”. It is important to again note that thisprogramming control section 600, in terms of programming and displays,is only used if the convention is only 100% cyber-based.

From the convention welcome page 601, the 100% cyber-based convention600 program instructions provide a wide array of processing using thevirtual convention venue databases 300 to simulate attendance at aspecific convention. The cyber convention is specific and defined. “Divedown” or sub-processing within this section is limited to the specificconvention (e.g., “American Bar Association Meeting on Litigation”,“American Bar Association Annual Meeting”, or “Pittsburgh BarAssociation Contracts Forum”). The attendee client 101 has several majorselection choices with follow-up database query and page displayprocessing including a convention welcome message 605, registration desk610, cyber/exhibit booths 615 with display, cyber sessions 620, cyberforums 625, sponsors list 630, call for papers 635, papers andproceedings presentations 640, cyber broadcast schedule and events 645,and sponsor opportunities 650. Each of these programmed selectionchoices has special search and database list, dive-down program flowcontrol, web page display or follow-on processing capabilities asfurther described below.

The welcome message 605 program instructions displays from the virtualconvention venue databases 300 the specific convention overviewinformation such as and including a director message, welcomeinformation, overall dates of the meeting, and meeting theme. Thespecific convention information would have already been set up orentered in the invention by the meeting planner client 102 throughmeeting planner client support—program instructions 800 (describedbelow). Dive-down program flow control is provided to specializedconvention information such as common web browser program “plug-ins anddownloads” (e.g., IPIX®, RealPlayer®) needed to assist in supporting thedisplay and programming of the cyber convention, the cyber sessions orforums, cyber broadcast events, or cyber exhibit booth displays.

The registration desk 610 program instructions directs the attendeeclient 101 to register for services of the specific convention. Based onregistration policies and fee amounts and other registration controlparameters contained in the virtual convention venue databases 300 (setup or loaded by the meeting planner client 102 in meeting planner clientsupport—program instructions 800) the attendee client 101 follows theprogram flow control and web page display instructions. The programprocesses the registration information obtained from the attendee client101. For example, cyber exhibit booth display 615 “attendance” may be“free” or the attendee client 101 can pay via a credit card or otherInternet common payment approaches. Similarly, registration policies andfee amounts with program flow control can affect “attendance” at cybersessions 620, cyber forums 625, cyber broadcast events 645, or otherareas as program controlled by the registration policies and fee amountfields.

During the registration desk 610 program control, the attendee client101 also provides interest profile information that is used in laterbatch processing from the past attendee direct entry from interestprofiler alert generation control 560.

Registration information is also provided to exhibitors and sponsorclients 102 enabling them to seek follow-up sales with the attendeeclient 101. This information transfer may or may not be made known tothe attendee client 101.

The cyber exhibit booths 615 program control and page displays lists ofthe cyber exhibit booths and allows the attendee client 101 to “visit”the booths. A registration check is made to assure attendee client 101access to the booths; if not, branch control is provided back to theregistration desk 610. The cyber exhibit detail and booth control andpage displays lists the cyber exhibit booths and allows the cyberattendee to “visit” the booths. Search by various options is provided.The search options include a search of only the cyber exhibit booths inthe virtual convention venue databases 300 relationship-tied to thespecific convention. Options include search by exhibitor name such asthe “Nike®” exhibit booths at this convention, by subject search such asthe “sporting goods” exhibit booths at this convention, or by keyword(s) such as “ice hockey gloves” at this convention.

As noted before, the “exhibits” or “exhibit booths” used in theinvention are made up of “panels” as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10J. Thepanels are the common Internet advertising ad banner sizes such as fullbanner, full banner with vertical navigation bar, half banner, squarebanner, vertical banner, button #1, button #2, and micro button. Eachpanel can also represent a major display venue—where each panel canbridge the attendee client 101 to various promotional page venues (e.g.,the full exhibitor brochure, multiple and rotating digital photos ofproducts, or video clips). The attendee client 101 can click on any andall panels.

Size (Pixels) Size (Inches) Type 468 × 60 6.50 × 0.83 Full Banner 392 ×72 5.44 × 1.00 Full Banner with Vertical Navigation Bar 234 × 60 3.25 ×0.83 Half Banner  125 × 125 1.74 × 1.74 Square Banner 120 × 90 1.67 ×1.25 Button #1 120 × 60 1.67 × 0.83 Button #2  88 × 31 1.22 × 0.43 MicroButton  120 × 240 1.67 × 3.33 Vertical Banner

Advertising industry standard ABC and BPA International auditmeasurement is tracked in the virtual convention venue databases 300concerning attendee client 101 visits at the booth or click-throughsfrom the panels for later reporting to the exhibitor/sponsor client 103,or for billing purposes. Fees and policies concerning the attendeeclient 101 visit measurement and billing of the exhibitor/sponsor client103 can be set up by the meeting planner client 102 in meeting plannerclient support—program instructions 800.

The cyber sessions 620 and cyber forums 625 program control and pagedisplays list the cyber sessions or forums and allows the attendeeclient 101 to “join”. A registration check is made to assure properaccess, based on registration policies and fees set up by the meetingplanner client 102. These cyber sessions and forums are specific to theconvention and are associated with the respective convention in thedatabase. The sessions and forums are set up or loaded into theinvention virtual convention venue databases 300 by the meeting plannerclient 102 in meeting planner client support—program instructions 800further described below.

For the cyber sessions and forums, interactive processing orparticipation by the attendee client 101 is provided with a commonjoin-the-forum Internet chat-room-type control with “subject” wordcategories or specific subject areas, with or without time attendanceschedules. Also, the interactive processing or participation by theattendee client 101 to join-the-session/forum common Internet videoconferencing with specific subject areas and time attendance schedulescan be provided. An example of “cyber forum” is “The Blame ExcuseDefense” with Professor Alan Dershowitz hosted by the “American BarAssociation Annual Meeting”, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST. The attendeeclient 101 is invited to join in.

The sponsors list 630 program control and page displays lists thespecial sponsors of the convention. These sponsors are specific to theconvention and are related/tied in the virtual convention venuedatabases 300. The sponsors can be set up or loaded by the meetingplanner client 102 in meeting planner client support—programinstructions 800.

In the conventions industry, the sponsors are usually “higher up” thanexhibitors with their underwriting activities of the convention. Thisusually means sponsors receive greater exposure than exhibitors andreceive the best cyber exhibit booth size and location. Therefore, thecyber exhibit booths 615 display process would take the sponsordesignation in the virtual convention venue databases 300 as prioritycontrol in terms of all booth list sequences. Further, in sponsors list630, special advertising with URL links would be provided in this pagedisplay area.

For medical or technical conventions, the call for papers 635 programcontrol and page displays provides the attendee client 101 a process tosubmit a “technical paper” for consideration by the editorialprofessionals of the association which would be the meeting plannerclient 102. The “paper”, once placed in the virtual convention venuedatabases 300, can be a wide arrange of common Internet electronicpresentations including multimedia information such as video, movies,photographs, and audio.

Logging of the “technical paper” and transfer processing is provided tothe appropriate editorial review professional, a specific meetingplanner client 102, of the association. The call for papers 635 programcontrol parameter rules is set up in the invention by the meetingplanner client 102 in meeting planner client support—programinstructions 800.

Subsequent to the call for papers 635 processing, the papers andproceedings presentations 640 program control and page displays providesthe attendee client 101 a process to select and list“technical/professional papers” for review that have been accepted bythe editorial professionals of the association, a special type ofmeeting planner client 102. Further, the official proceedings of theconvention are “posted” or placed in the papers presentations andproceedings database 380 by the meeting planner client 102 forsubsequent releasing to the attendee client 101.

The cyber broadcast schedule and events 645 program control and pagedisplays list the Internet broadcasts and provides further processionfor allowing the attendee client 101 to “sign up”. A registration checkis made to assure proper access, based on registration policies and feesset up by the meeting planner client 102. These cyber broadcasts usecommon Internet broadcast technology, however the broadcasts arespecific in the invention in terms of a tie or relationship to thespecific convention in the virtual convention venue databases 300. Feesand policies concerning the attendee client 101 participation or viewingthe cyber broadcast can be set up by the meeting planner client 102 inmeeting planner client support—program instructions 800.

An example of the “cyber broadcast” is “The Blame Excuse Defense” withProfessor Alan Dershowitz hosted by the “American Bar Association AnnualMeeting”, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm EST. In this case, Professor Dershowitzpresents a speech only program.

The sponsor opportunities 650 program control and page display links andbranches the attendee client 101 to the exhibitor/sponsor clientsupport—program instructions 900. The control is passed in the systemwith referral from the sending-specific convention including informationprovided by the attendee client 101 during the registration process.This process gives the attendee client 101, who may now automaticallybecome an exhibitor/sponsor client 103, an opportunity to “sign up” asan exhibitor or sponsor to the specific convention in the virtualconvention venue databases 300.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a sitemap flow diagram of venue-basedconventions with cyber conventions with cyber exhibit booth display, andcyber sessions and forums—program instructions 700 in accordance withone embodiment of the invention. In the above discussion of FIG. 5, thetitle of this programming area was simplified and shortened to“venue-with-cyber convention 700”. The invention now allows thevisitation by the attendee client 101 of a cyber-based convention thatis available anytime before, during, or after a venue-based convention(e.g., Moscone Center in San Francisco). The attendee client 101 now hasa wide array of specific convention information provided and activitysimulated through the program instructions and the databases. It isimportant to again note that this programming control section, in termsof programming and displays, is only used IF there is joining orcombinations of venue-based conventions WITH cyber conventions. Thisprovides all parties involved the ability to register and attend thevenue-based convention AND/OR the cyber convention.

From the convention welcome page 701, the venue-with-cyber convention700 program instructions provide a wide array of processing using thevirtual convention venue databases 300. The convention in thisprogramming control section is again specific and defined. “Dive down”or sub-processing within this section is limited to the specificconvention (e.g., “American Bar Association Annual Meeting on Litigationheld at the Moscone Center in San Francisco) using this virtualconvention venue, the attendee client 101 has several major selectionchoices with follow-up database query and page display processingincluding a convention welcome message 705, registration desk 710,exhibits 715 with display, sessions 720, forums list 725, sponsors list730, membership 735, call for papers 740, papers and proceedingspresentations 745, cyber broadcast schedule and events 750, and sponsoropportunities 755. Each of these programmed selection choices hasspecial search and database lists, dive-down program flow control, webpage display or follow-on processing capabilities as further describedbelow.

The welcome message 705 program instructions displays from the virtualconvention databases 300 the specific convention overview informationsuch as and including a director message, welcome information, overalldates of the meeting, meeting theme, as well as venue-based conventioninformation. The welcome message 705 logically expands to point 707 onFIG. 7B to depict the expanded role of the welcome message 705. Thewelcome message 705 program instructions displays from the virtualconvention venue databases 300. The specific convention informationwould have already been set up or entered in the invention by themeeting planner client 102 through meeting planner clientsupport—program instructions 800 (described below). Dive-down programflow control is provided to specialized convention information such ascommon web browser program “plug-ins & downloads” needed to assist insupporting the display and programming of the cyber convention, thecyber sessions or forums, cyber broadcast events, or cyber exhibit boothdisplays. Venue-based information programming on FIG. 7B includesgeneral convention information 760, board and committee messages 765,venue-based exhibitor floor maps 770, venue-based session maps 780, andvenue maps 785.

The general convention information 760 program instructions provides theattendee client 101 extensive content-type data from the virtualconvention venue databases 300. This programming and content informationincludes registration information and program link control, recommendeddress for the venue-based convention, average temperatures at thevenue-based destination, housing bureau involvement and program linkcontrol with URL links, hotel participants and accommodations with URLlinks, travel arrangements with URL links, CVB participants with URLlinks, rental car transportation with URL links, venue-based destinationparking with URL links, and sponsors with URL links.

The board and committee messages 765 program instructions provide forspecial welcome and direction information for boards and committees ofthe association and organization involved in the convention.

The venue-based exhibitor floor maps 770 program instructions providefloor maps of the exhibitors (e.g., Moscone Center main floor with thelayout and location of exhibitors). Exhibitor name search listprocessing is provided in the invention showing the location of aspecific exhibitor booth on the floor.

The venue-based session maps 780 program instructions provide floor mapsof the sessions and forums (e.g., Moscone Center “break out” rooms forthe location of the sessions and forums). Session and forum name searchlist processing is provided showing the location of a specific sessionor forum in a break out room.

The venue maps 785 program instructions provide maps of the venue, suchas the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Sponsors involved who arephysically located around or outside the venue can provide locationinformation; and, sponsor name or service type search list processing isprovided showing the location of a specific sponsor (e.g., the HyattHotel two blocks from the Moscone Center).

Returning to FIG. 7A, the registration desk 710 program instructionsdirects the attendee client 101 to register for services of the cyber ORvenue-based convention. Based on registration policies and fee amountscontained in the convention venue databases 300 which are set up orloaded by the meeting planner client 102 in meeting planner clientsupport—program instructions 800, the attendee client 101 follows theprogram flow control and web page display instructions. For example,cyber exhibit booth display 715 OR the venue-based center “attendance”may be “free” or the attendee client 101 can pay via a credit card orother Internet common payment approaches. Similarly, registrationpolicies and fee amounts with program flow control can affect“attendance” at sessions 720, (in either cyber sessions or venue-basedsessions) forums 625, in either cyber or venue-based sessions, or otherconvention areas as program controlled by the registration policies andfee amount fields.

During the registration desk 710 program control, the attendee client101 also provides interest profile information that is used in laterbatch processing from the past attendee direct entry from interestprofiler alert generation control 560.

The exhibits 715 program control and page displays directs the attendeeclient 101 to the cyber exhibit detail and booth control OR thevenue-based exhibit detail and control. The exhibits 715 program controland page displays lists of the cyber exhibit booths and allows theattendee client 101 to “visit” the booths similar to the cyber exhibitbooths 615 processing above. A registration check is made to assureattendee client 101 access to the booths, in the alternative, if not,branch control is provided back to the registration desk 610. The cyberexhibit detail and booth control and page displays lists the cyberexhibit booths and allows the attendee client 101 to “visit” the booths.Search by various options is provided. The search options include asearch of only the cyber exhibit booths in the virtual convention venuedatabases 300 relationship-tied to the specific convention. Optionsinclude search by exhibitor name such as the “Nike®” exhibit booths atthis convention, by subject search such as the “sporting goods” exhibitbooths at this convention, or by key word(s) such as “ice hockey gloves”at this convention.

However, in this exhibits 715 program control and page displays area,the venue-based exhibit detail is also displayed from the virtualconvention venue databases 300. This allows the attendee client 101 tosearch and list the various exhibitors at the venue-based conventionsuch as the “sporting goods” exhibitors at the Moscone Center at thevenue-based convention. Program link control is provided from thevenue-based exhibit detail and control to the venue-based exhibitorfloor maps 770.

The sessions 720 and forums 725 program control and page displays listthe cyber and venue-based sessions or forums and allows the attendeeclient 101 to “join”. A registration check is made to assure properaccess, based on registration policies and fees set up by the meetingplanner client 102. These cyber and venue-based sessions and forums arespecific to the convention, and are related/tied in the database. Thesessions and forums are set up or loaded into the invention virtualconvention venue databases 300 by the meeting planner client 102 inmeeting planner client support—program instructions 800 furtherdescribed below. The sessions 720 and forums 725 program control for thecyber sessions and forums is the same as described in the above cybersessions 620 and cyber forums 625 program control and page displays. Thevenue-based sessions or forums detail and control processing allows theattendee client 101 to also search and list the various sessions orforums presented at the venue-based convention. Registration branchprogram control is provided.

The sponsors list 730 is similar to the above-described sponsors list630 program control and page displays lists of the special sponsors ofthe convention. These sponsors are specific to the convention, and arerelated/tied in the virtual convention venue databases 300. The sponsorsare set up or loaded by the meeting planner client 102 in meetingplanner client support—program instructions 800. The sponsors list 730processing includes venue-based sponsor information and programprocessing which is link-depicted at 708 on FIG. 7B—linking to thegeneral convention information 760 program control.

The membership 735 program control and page display directs the attendeeclient 101 to “join” the association that is holding the specificconvention. A wide selection of association membership-type informationfrom the virtual convention venue databases 300 is provided. Become amember 736 program control and processing is similar to the registrationdesk 610 program; links are provided. Membership fees and policiesconcerning the attendee client 101 joining the association is set up bythe meeting planner client 102 in meeting planner client support—programinstructions 800.

The call for papers 740 and subsequent papers and proceedingspresentations 745 program control and page displays are identical to theprocessing described in detail above in call for papers 635 and papersand proceedings presentations 640. However, the “technical paper”presented by the professional, attendee client 101, can also be viewedby the editorial committee for potential presentation at the venue-basedconvention. Also, the “proceedings” of the venue-based convention can be“posted” by the meeting planner client 102.

The cyber broadcast schedule and events 750 program control is identicalto the processing described in detail above in cyber broadcast scheduleand events 645 and is depicted here to show the inclusion with the“venue-with-cyber convention 700”. The sponsor opportunities 755 programcontrol is identical to the processing described in detail above insponsor opportunities 650, and is depicted here to show the inclusionwith the “venue-with-cyber convention 700”.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the meeting planner clientsupport—program instructions 800 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. The system now allows the prospective meeting plannerclient 102 to review a sales demonstration of a fully loaded “showcasesample” virtual convention. The system then provides the meeting plannerclient 102 the dive-down program flow control to initially load andlater change the control parameter rules and content information intothe virtual convention venue databases 300 for each specific convention.The parameter rules and content information supports the “100%cyber-based convention 600”, the “venue-with-cyber convention 700”, andthe fees and policies used in the exhibitor/sponsor clientsupport—program instructions 900.

Similar to the meetings for professional work with physical conventioncenters (e.g., venue-based centers) in the convention industry, themeeting planner client 102 has significant control of specific“conventions” (e.g., standard conventions, events, conferences, tradeshows and meetings) in the virtual convention venue invention. Furtherinterpretation on meeting planners work can be obtained from MeetingProfessionals International “MPI” located in Dallas, Tex. The meetingplanner client support—program instructions 800 in terms of the meetingplanner client 102 was described in the FIG. 6 detail discussions above:welcome message 605, registration desk 610, cyber exhibit booths 615,cyber sessions 620, cyber forums 625, sponsors list 630, call for papers635, papers and proceedings presentations 640, and cyber broadcastschedule and events 645. Further, the meeting planner clientsupport—program instructions 800 in terms of the meeting planner client102 was also described in the FIGS. 7A and 7B detail discussions above:welcome message 705, registration desk 710, exhibits 715, sessions 720,forums 725, sponsors list 730, membership 735, call for papers 740,papers and proceedings presentations 745, cyber broadcast schedule andevents 750, general convention information 760, board and committeemessages 765, venue-based exhibitor floor maps 770, venue-based sessionmaps 780, and venue maps 785.

The meeting planner site inspection 805 program instructions processprovides controlled query of the virtual convention venue databases 300and allows the prospective meeting planner client 102 to review a salesdemonstration of fully loaded samples of virtual conventions. Thesesamples include meetings and conventions from both the “100% cyber-basedconvention 600” and the “venue-with-cyber convention 700” programprocesses.

The meeting planner services 810 program instructions provides themeeting planner client 102 the dive-down program flow control toinitially load and later change the control parameter rules and contentinformation into the virtual convention venue databases 300 for eachspecific convention. The meeting planner services 810 programinstructions address both the “100% cyber-based convention 600” and the“venue-with-cyber convention 700” control parameter rules and contentinformation. A meeting planner welcome 815 program provides the variouspolicies and fee options of the virtual convention venue processes.Next, a site inspection as described at point 805 above is provided ifthe prospect meeting planner client 102 missed such a “showcase” reviewof the invention.

The sign-up your association and meetings 825 program instructionsprovide all processing to initially load and later change the controlparameter rules and content information into the virtual conventionvenue databases 300 for each specific convention. After a password isgiven by the webmaster, the meeting planner client 102 can contractpursuant to, for example, an agreement between the website hostorganization and the meeting planner association or corporation forservices on the virtual convention venue invention. The meeting plannerclient 102 can then load all details and content. The details andcontent are requested through a series of submission forms andsubsequent receipt by the program including:

-   -   convention processing flow control parameters,    -   convention content information,    -   exhibitor/sponsor registration edit criteria parameters,    -   exhibitor client booth criteria and control parameters,    -   attendee registration edit criteria parameters,    -   sessions and forums processing flow control parameters,    -   sessions and forums content information,    -   call for papers processing flow control parameters,    -   paper presentation content information,    -   meeting proceedings content information,    -   cyber broadcast processing flow control parameters, and    -   broadcast schedule and event content information.

The meeting planner can also load potential exhibitor and sponsorcontacts for further sales efforts by the website host organization.

The paper for presentation and proceedings presentation control 830program instructions provide all processing for meeting planner clients102 who are assigned specific technical editor responsibilities (by theassociation) for the paper review and approval for presentation. Thisprogram area includes review of all papers that have been submitted byattendee clients 101, post editor comments, and approval-marking thepaper for inclusion in through the paper presentations 640 and 745program instructions. Further, the meeting planner client 102 can also“post” or load on the paper presentations and proceedings database 380the “official” proceedings of the convention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a sitemap flow diagram of the exhibitor/sponsorclient support—program instructions 900 in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

The exhibitor and sponsor services 905 program instructions now allowthe prospective exhibitor/sponsor client 103 to review a salesdemonstration of a fully loaded “showcase sample” of exhibitor booths.The system then provides the exhibitor/sponsor client 103 the dive-downprogram flow control to initially select and order the booth style,choose various decorator services, and then build the “panels”, in FIGS.10A-10J using common Internet advertising ad banner sizes and laterchange, using information provided by exhibitor/sponsor client 103, theexhibit booths and sponsor level support in the virtual convention venuedatabases 300 for one or many conventions. “One or many” is used here inthe invention to specify the capability of the exhibitor/sponsor client103 to place an exhibit booth order across multiple conventions in thevirtual convention venue databases 300. This is further described below.

The exhibitor/sponsor welcome 910 program control and page displaysprovide the various policies and fee options associated to the potentialexhibitor and sponsors of the virtual convention venue processes. Theinformation presented to the exhibitor/sponsor client 103 in thisprogramming area includes the policies and fees, such as sponsor level“packages”, set forth in the virtual convention venue databases 300 foreach selected meeting and convention.

The demonstration of sample exhibitor booths 915 program instructionspresents a fully loaded “showcase sample” of exhibitor booths releasedto an exhibitor/sponsor on request. The standard styles illustrated inFIGS. 10A-10J are demonstrated as well as other styles used byexhibitors in the past.

The sign-up your company 920 program instructions provide all the formpages necessary for the exhibitor/sponsor client 103 to sign-up orregister for specific conventions. Available here is an agreementbetween the website host organization representing the meeting plannerassociation or corporation, and the exhibitor/sponsor for services onthe virtual convention venue invention. Also, venue-based registrationor sign-up processing is provided. All information is written in thevirtual convention venue databases 300.

The booth decorator services 925 program instructions provide thecapabilities to order the website host organization to assist with thetechnical aspects of the exhibitor booth. Decorator services is usedhere similar to the convention industry.

The website host organization can offer a wide array of services such asdigital photography, scanning, signage and other communication-typeservices to assist in assuring the exhibitor booth meets the needs ofthe exhibitor/sponsor client 103.

The exhibitor and sponsor opportunities 930 program instructionsincludes branch link control of the exhibitor/sponsor client 103 tomeetings search by various criteria, place exhibit order dive-downprocess, or place sponsor orders.

The meetings search by various criteria 935 program instructions providethe exhibitor/sponsor client 103 the ability to “select” a specificconvention OR “select” across multiple conventions. For example,exhibitor/sponsor “Pepsi-Cola® Company” may want to exhibit and sponsoracross all “sports” related conventions based upon terms in a masterpurchase agreement. Reiterating, a convention in the invention isdefined as a standard convention, event, conference, trade show ormeeting held at the virtual convention venue in terms of the programsand databases described herein.

The place exhibit orders 940 program instructions includes a “buildingprocess” of the exhibit booth and permits the exhibitor sponsor toprovide booth design/content information. Programming steps includepick-a-booth, pick-a-show, pick-a-content-level, and pricing calculatorwith payment processing. The pricing of the exhibit booths is based onall of these criteria. As an example, a 25 page brochure behind onebutton on a cyber exhibit booth may be more expensive than one simpledigital picture which requires less storage, because pricing may becontent-based.

The place sponsor orders 950 program instructions provide theexhibitor/sponsor client 103 the ability to order and contract forspecial exposure services during the virtual convention venue processes.In the conventions industry, the sponsors are usually “higher up” thanexhibitors with their underwriting activities of the convention. Thisusually means sponsors receive greater exposure than the exhibitors andreceive the best cyber exhibit booth size, package deals, preferredlocations, etc. This process area includes the various option controls,rotating welcome ad banners, session introduction advertising, andspecial recognition.

FIGS. 10A-10J illustrate 10 sample exhibit booth displays used in screenviews and made from common Internet advertising ad banner sizes inaccordance with this invention. The “exhibits” or “exhibit booths” usedin the invention are made up of “panels” and arranged to appear similarto physical display booths used in the convention industry. The panelsare the common Internet advertising ad banner sizes including fullbanner, full banner with vertical navigation bar, half banner, squarebanner, vertical banner, button #1, button #2, and micro button. Eachpanel can also represent a major display venue, where each panel canbridge the attendee client 101 to various promotional page venues suchas the full exhibitor brochure, multiple and rotating digital photos ofproducts, or video clips.

The attendee client 101 can click on any and all panels. Registrationinformation is also provided to exhibitors and sponsor clients 103enabling them to seek follow-up sales with the attendee client 101. Thisinformation may or may not be made known to the attendee client 101.

Because the common Internet advertising ad banner sizes are used, it isimportant to note that an open-ended number of booth styles can be madeup. Also, advertising industry standard ABC and BPA International auditmeasurement is tracked in the virtual convention venue databases 300concerning attendee client 101 visits at the booth or click-throughsfrom the panels for later reporting to the exhibitor/sponsor client 103,or for billing purposes. Fees and policies concerning the attendeeclient 101 visit measurement and billing of the exhibitor/sponsor client103 can be set up by the meeting planner client 102 in meeting plannerclient support—program instructions 800.

CONCLUSION

The description of the invention set forth herein is illustrative, anddoes not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the followingclaims. Variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed hereinare possible. For example, various web browser computer or “informationappliance” types, various web browser software programs, variousreal-time communications protocols, various relational database systems,and various website programming languages may be used. Also, theprogramming method steps set forth are presented to the reader from alinear or sequential-explanation viewpoint for best understanding; inthe invention the steps are quasi-reentrant (e.g., good websiteapplication programs are written to “start” almost anywhere). Finally,the various convention content and control parameter fields can have anunlimited number of programmer definitions and are also not meant to belimited. These and other variations and modifications of the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and from the scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A method for conducting at least one convention, by facilitating theexchange between at least one meeting planner client and at least oneattendee client comprising the steps of: a. receiving, from the at leastone meeting planner client, and electronically storing at a centralwebsite, convention content information for a plurality of conventions;b. receiving at the central website from the at least one attendeeclient a selection for convention content information of one conventionfrom the plurality of conventions; and c. releasing from the centralwebsite to the at least one attendee client the selected conventioncontent information.